BIRD CONSERVATION The Magazine of American Bird Conservancy Spring 2012 BIRD’S EYE VIEW On the Edge

“In the ecstasy of homecoming, the curlew now hardly remembered that for three summers past he had been mysteriously alone and the mating fire within had burned itself out unquenched…”

Fred Bodsworth, Last of the Curlews

ost – but certainly not all – shorebirds spend extinction. The Mountain Plover’s grassland habitats – and critical parts of their lives on the thin edge thus the bird – are disappearing as native grasslands are Mwhere sea meets land. Unfortunately for them, converted to marginal agriculture. Habitat loss, possibly and for those of us who love shorebirds, this is also where in combination with pesticide poisoning, may cause the people like to be. Buff-breasted Sandpiper to disappear over the horizon to another Heaven and another Earth too. This continuing, intense competition between man and nature at the shoreline is not going well for nature. Many shorebirds, whose numbers seemed beyond affecting Around the world, man is gaining the edge: building just a few years ago, are now disappearing before our eyes. houses; polluting; filling wetlands (such as the invaluable Sanderlings – those birds we watched doggedly chasing the Saemangeum wetlands on the coast of South Korea, home tide up and down the beach when we were children: way to millions of wintering shorebirds, including, perhaps, down (no more happy patter of little feet). Piping Plovers? our own Bar-tailed Godwit); vainly hardening shorelines Around 6,500 left. as sea level rises; and damaging habitat with off-road Many birders I speak with tell me they steer clear of shore- vehicles, invasive, alien plants, and flotsam. It really isn’t birds: too hard to identify, they say. Most birders can walk going that well for man either, now that I think of it. out their front door and start to watch landbirds every day, But “shorebirds” is really a misnomer, since so many spe- but shorebirds are out on the edge of their imagination, in cies in this group spend much or all of their time else- a faraway and, for some, even forbidding place. So, why where, such as Upland Sandpipers nesting in grasslands, care? The answers to this are many, and you have heard yellowlegs in the Boreal Forest, and Eskimo Curlews in them before: we are borrowing from our children, we history. should adhere to the precautionary principle, maintain the intrinsic values of biodiversity, and the interconnectedness Yes, the Eskimo Curlew is gone forever, and in the words of all life. of American naturalist William Beebe, “Another Heaven and another Earth must pass before such a one can be I say care to save shorebirds because we can. Read the again.” The last individual seen in North America was in articles in this issue and learn how. It just takes will; yours 1962 on the edge at Galveston Island, Texas, and the abso- and mine. lute last confirmed Eskimo Curlew was shot in Barbados the following year. Other shorebirds such as the rufa Red Knot may follow the Eskimo Curlew into extinction. Even those species that avoid the land/water ecotone George H. Fenwick altogether can be on or near the edge of survival and President, American Bird Conservancy

COVER PHOTO: American Oystercatcher: Judd Patterson/Birds In Focus 2 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Bird Conservation is the magazine of American Bird Conservancy (ABC), Bird Conservation and is published three times yearly. Mountain Plover: Greg Lavaty_www.texastargetbirds.com American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is the SPRING 2012 only 501(c)(3) organization that works solely to conserve native wild birds and their habitats throughout the Americas. A copy of the current financial statement Saving Shorebirds and registration filed by the organization may be obtained by contacting: ABC, P.O. Box 249, The Plains, VA 20198. Tel: (540) 253-5780, or by contacting the following 8 Recovering Shorebird in the Americas state agencies:

Florida: Division of Consumer Services, toll-free number within the State: 11 Threats to Shorebirds 800-435-7352. Maryland: For the cost of copies and postage: Office of the Secretary of State, 14 Shorebirds Use Diverse Habitats Statehouse, Annapolis, MD 21401. New Jersey: Attorney General, State of New Jersey: 201-504-6259. 16 Far from Shore, But Up A Creek New York: Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. Pennsylvania: Department of State, 18 Among the Islands: Laguna Madre toll-free number within the state: Black Skimmer: Alan Wilson 800-732-0999. Virginia: State Division of Consumer 20 Beach-nesting Bird Conservation Affairs, Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23209. West Virginia: Secretary of State, State 22 reserve Profile:E l Cercado, Mexico Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by any state. 25 Planned Giving American Bird Conservancy is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts or photographs. Approval is required Monarchs of the Mud-Probers for reproduction of any photographs or 26 artwork.

Editors: George Fenwick, Jack Morrison, Merrie Morrison, Gemma Radko, Gavin Shire, George E. Wallace DEPARTMENTS Long-billed Curlew: Tom Grey ABC’s Bird Conservation magazine brings you the best in bird conservation news and features. 2 Bird’s Eye View For more information contact: On The Wire American Bird Conservancy Pectoral Sandpiper: Greg Homel, 4 4249 Loudoun Avenue Natural Elements Productions P.O. Box 249 Species Profile The Plains, VA 20198 28 540-253-5780 Diademed Sandpiper-Plover Web: www.abcbirds.org Email: [email protected] Diademed Sandpiper-Plover: Dubi Shapiro

Scan to check out ABC’s bird conservation • SPRING 2012 3 new mobile website! ON the WIRE Endangered Black-backed Thornbill Found at El Dorado Reserve in Colombia

n December 2011, biologists Black-backed Thornbills have very working with ABC partner short, slightly downward-curving IFundación ProAves observed and bills and purplish-black, forked tails. photographed a Black-backed Thorn- Males are mostly black above, while bill at the El Dorado Reserve. This females are bronzy-green above and

hummingbird species, classified as whitish below, speckled with green on Male Black-backed Thornbill: Fundación ProAves globally endangered, is found only in the throat and sides. the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta of “This rare little bird is a gem and will the Black-backed Thornbill and many Colombia in humid and elfin forests, undoubtedly bring more attention other endemic species, such as the bush-covered slopes near the tree line, to the fantastic El Dorado Reserve,” Santa Marta Parakeet, Santa Marta and in páramo (high-altitude grass- said Benjamin Skolnik, Conservation Sabrewing, and Santa Marta Bush- land). The bird’s already small range is Project Specialist with American Bird Tyrant. shrinking drastically due to rampant Conservancy. “You can add one more deforestation, overgrazing, and burn- ABC is presently supporting ProAves’ to a long list of endemic, threatened ing. Its population is suspected to be efforts to acquire another key tract species you could see there.” in decline due to this ongoing habitat of land to add to the reserve, where loss, making the sighting of this indi- The El Dorado Bird Reserve protects palm trees used by the Santa Marta vidual at El Dorado significant. over 2,000 acres of critical habitat for Parakeet grow.

New Government Initiative Will Benefit Golden-winged Warblers

new program called “Work- and the opportunity it provides to monitoring to benefit the Golden- ing Lands for Wildlife” better engage private landowners winged Warbler. An education cam- A (WLW), unveiled in March in conservation. If we are going to paign will improve understanding of 2012 by the U.S. Departments of the have this bird around for future the importance of young forests and Interior and Agriculture, will provide generations, we’re going to need scrubby, open habitat to this bird,” a huge boost for Golden-winged public and private collaboration,” Smith explained. Warbler conservation in the east- said Brian Smith, ABC’s AMJV ABC has already made the Golden- ern United States, involving dozens Coordinator. winged Warbler a major focus of its of organizations across ten states, The WLW initiative will focus on conservation, and is continuing to including federal and state agencies, creating and maintaining the types of coordinate conservation measures in universities, and not-for-profit con- habitat necessary to sustain popula- both the United States and on the servation organizations. This effort is tions of warblers in and around their bird’s wintering grounds in Central being facilitated by the Appalachian current breeding areas, particularly and South America. Mountains Joint Venture (AMJV) young forest. This will include and ABC. efforts designed to also increase “The Golden-winged Warbler is one the amount of available habitat of the most seriously threatened, throughout the Appalachians. non-federally listed species in “The additional funding from eastern North America. Everyone the WLW project will provide for familiar with its plight will be increased on-the-ground habitat excited about the WLW project restoration, conservation, and

4 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Photo by Laura Erickson Protecting the Red Knot in South America

he rufa Red Knot has expe- rienced alarming declines in Trecent decades — from well over 100,000 in the early 1990s to about 40,000 today — and is now in real danger of extinction within the next ten years. Populations of long-distance migrant Red Knots, which winter on Tierra del Fuego in southernmost South America, are of particular concern, having dropped from more than 50,000 in 1985 to fewer than 15,000 today. With nu- merous partners, ABC has advocated The campaign’s logo, seen on for the protection of one of the knot’s The Red Knot mascot, called Fabién Rojizo after a essential food sources – the eggs of buttons, bumper stickers, and biplane pilot in a novel by Antoine de Saint Exupery, horseshoe crabs, the laying of which is a popular figure around San Antonio Bay, Argentina. t-shirts, translates as “Choose the Photo: Mirta Carbajal coincides with the knot’s migration each spring. right path, protect our flock.”

shorebirds at San Antonio Bay. With a mascot, a play, songs, and celebra- tions, the campaign increased local knowledge of the importance of the knots, and increased local support for their protection. By building an alter- native 4x4 trail away from the beach, it also provided the way for respon- sible 4x4 users to “Choose the Right Path,” the campaign’s slogan. Similar campaigns were also successful at two other locations in Argentina – the Costa Atlántica in Tierra del Fuego, and the Rio Gallegos Estuary in Santa Cruz. All three are sites in the West- ern Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

Red Knot at Delaware Bay. Photo: Jan van de Kam Charles Duncan, Director of Manom- et’s Shorebird Recovery Project, com- But addressing threats to the spe- the Argentine summer months. Dis- mented: “Using marketing techniques cies only in North America may not turbance from beachgoers, especially to change attitudes and behaviors be enough to prevent extinction, as those on 4x4 vehicles, can be severe. was entirely new to us. Fortunately, the knot also faces challenges to its A partnership among Rare, the our partner, Rare, is a world leader in stopover and wintering areas in South Manomet Center for Conservation their use for conservation. We learned America. Sciences, and the Argentine non- to connect shorebird conservation to One important stopover site, the San profit Fundación Inalafquen recently the quality of life of the people at the Antonio Bay Natural Protected Area led to the completion of a two-year sites. Red Knots and their habitats are in Río Negro, Argentina, lies next to social marketing campaign to reduce the beneficiaries.” a resort town popular with tourists in the disturbance to knots and other

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 5 ON the WIRE

New Conservation Area in Peru Protects Disappearing Cloud Forest Species

has partnered with striped Hemispingus, and White- ABC Asociación Ecosiste- browed Conebill. There are also small mas Andinos (ECOAN) to establish a pockets of appropriate habitat where new conservation area in central Peru the globally vulnerable Bay-vented that will help protect the area’s shrink- Cotinga and Rufous-browed Hemisp- ing cloud forest and rich biodiversity. ingus may occur. In addition, the area protects habitat for the endangered The new, almost 2,000-acre Monte Andean cat. Potrero Municipal Conservation Area is characterized by steep topography This new protective designation is the and moist cloud forests, and is home most recent in a series of important to a number of endemic Peruvian bird conservation efforts that ABC bird species, such as the Fire-throated and our international partners have Metaltail, Baron’s Spinetail, and brought about in Ecuador, Peru, and Tschudi’s Tapaculo. Other notable Bolivia thanks to the generous sup- species include the Powerful Wood- port of the Gordon and Betty Moore pecker, White-chinned Thistletail, Foundation. Powerful Woodpecker: Luke Seitz White-browed Spinetail, Three-

First Millerbird Fledges on Laysan

n endangered Millerbird second population and minimize the chick has fledged on Hawai'i’s risk of the species’ extinction. ALaysan Island for the first time Millerbirds historically occurred on in nearly 100 years. This conservation Laysan, but were extirpated sometime milestone follows the recent historic prior to 1923; a result of the devasta- reintroduction of the rare songbird tion of the island’s vegetation by rab- to the island. This project is a bits and other introduced mammals. cooperative venture between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and ABC, Because of the difficulty of accessing resulting from many years of research This is the first Millerbird chick fledged on Laysan Island Nihoa, a breeding population on Lay- in nearly 100 years. Photo: Robby Kohley san will provide the first opportunity and detailed planning by biologists to observe the Millerbird's nesting and resource managers. cycle from start to finish, a significant advance in the study of this endan- Approximately 775 Millerbirds gered species. remain in existence. Until recently, the species was confined to Nihoa “This is another huge milestone in Island, where they risked extinction the effort to save the Millerbird from from introduced predators and extinction. We still have a long way hurricanes. In September 2011, 24 to go, but each victory like this is Millerbirds were trapped on Nihoa encouraging, and tells us that, so far, and released on Laysan Island, 650 we, and the Millerbirds, are succeed- miles away, in an effort to create a ing,” said George Wallace, ABC’s Vice The translocated Millerbirds settled right down in their new home on Laysan Island. Photo: Robby Kohley President for Oceans and Islands.

6 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 HELP MEET The ABC Spring Migration Challenge!

Shorebirds are not the only migratory birds facing daunting challenges throughout their life cycles. All our migratory birds — warblers, shorebirds, raptors, hummingbirds, seabirds, sparrows — need your help for their survival. This spring, renowned author Jonathan Franzen and business executive Jeff Rusinow have generously teamed up with New York investor and philanthropist Robert Wilson to offer a challenge to you: help increase real protection for migratory birds this spring. Every dollar you donate between now and June 20 will be matched dollar for dollar up to $100,000 — with your help we can raise $200,000 this spring for birds!

Your challenge gift will mean: Prairie Warbler 4 New and improved breeding and wintering habitat for declining species such as the Golden-winged, Red- faced, Cerulean, and Prairie Warblers.

4 Work to protect the Lake Apopka Restoration Area – an ABC-designated Globally Important Bird Area – popular for migratory shorebirds such as the Western Sandpiper and Black-necked Stilt, as well as federally endangered species that include the Wood Stork and Florida Scrub-Jay.

4 Expansion of a network of critically important Latin American and Caribbean bird reserves used by dozens of migratory species including the Baird’s Sparrow, Bicknell’s Thrush, Ovenbird, Hermit Warbler, and Long-billed Curlew. These reserves also protect habitat for some of the most endangered birds in the world.

4 Increased efforts to protect raptors such as the Swainson’s Hawk, Broad-winged Hawk, and Burrowing Owl from the damaging aspects of wind power development.

4 Continued cutting-edge work to prevent collisions with glass for birds such as the Wood Thrush and Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

4 Protection of breeding and foraging grounds of alba- trosses, shearwaters, and other threatened seabirds.

ABC is the only U.S. nonprofit dedicated exclusively to protecting birds and their habitats throughout the Ameri- cas. You already know ABC gets results — donate today to help us get even more results for migratory birds. Bill Hubick

Please act now to help ABC meet the $200,000 goal — use the enclosed envelope or visit www.abcbirds.org/membership. Challenge ends June 20!

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 7 Red Knots in flight: Jan van de Kam

Recovering Shorebirds in the Americas

If you let them, shorebirds will completely redefine well-named Solitary Sandpiper, are what you thought birds are capable of. “dispersed migrants” found in small numbers along extensive coastlines or rivers. Other shorebird species, Consider this: On August 22, 2011, sufficiently available, they can almost endemic to South America, are among a Whimbrel, named Chinquapin by double their weight in just two weeks. the world’s least understood groups of biologists, headed southward from You could think of a 105-lb. human birds in both their natural history and Canada’s upper Hudson Bay carrying reaching 200 lbs. in that short time their conservation status (see page 26). a tiny satellite transmitter. After two (but maybe it’s better not to). days and nights of non-stop flying, For all shorebirds, threats including Or try this: a Red Knot named B95 he encountered Hurricane Irene, with loss of habitat through development, has so far flown a cumulative dis- sustained winds over 111 mph. Ask chronic disturbance from beachgoers tance equivalent to the Earth to the anyone with a sailboat what this must and dogs, “coastal engineering” proj- Moon and part way back – more than have been like for a bird that weighs ects, climate change, and overfishing 350,00 miles! B95, now at least 18 about a pound. To the amazement of their food resources, have taken years old, was photographed late last and relief of the researchers tracking their toll. In fact, the U.S. Shorebird year by some of the same people who him, Chinquapin flew on through Conservation Plan (www.fws.gov/ first caught him in 1995. They all the storm, then changed course and shorebirdplan), shows that no species look much older than in the earlier landed in the Bahamas for a several- photographs, but he looks the same. week stay before resuming his migra- tion. As I write, he is wintering in Suriname, exactly where he did last year, apparently none the worse for his experience. Or this: In preparing to migrate north from Tierra del Fuego, at the Researchers use colored “flags” to follow the movements southern tip of South America, Red of Red Knots.This bird was first banded in Argentina at the Knots increase the mass of their San Antonio Bay stopover. Photo: Mark K. Peck “Chinquapin,” a Whimbrel, being fitted with a solar- flight muscles while simultaneously powered satellite transmitter. Photo: M. Friel shrinking their digestive system. of breeding or migrant shorebird The change is so drastic that when Many—but not all—shorebird in North America is in the category they arrive at stopover sites in the species aggregate at a small number of “not at risk,” and half are classified United States, they are incapable of of food-rich “stepping stone” sites as “of high concern” or “highly digesting the clams and mussels they along coastlines and inland wetlands imperiled.” eat most of the year. Yet if soft food, during their lengthy migratory cycle. What then is to be done? Effective such as the eggs of horseshoe crabs, is Some, such as the Sanderling and the conservation of shorebirds must address three inherent challenges: About the guest author: Charles Duncan is Director of the Shorebird 1) shorebirds are among the most Recovery Project at the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (www. migratory animals on the planet manomet.org). Manomet, one of the nation’s oldest non-profit environmental and require concerted action over research organizations, is dedicated to conserving natural resources for both an enormous geography; 2) for the humans and wildlife. Charles Duncan also serves as Director of the Executive many species that congregate in large Office of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

8 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 and Santiago, Chile, is operated by the Manomet Center for Conser- vation Sciences, and serves as the critical “backbone organization.” A Hemispheric Council, made up of 16 influential members of governments and non-profits in the Americas and beyond, shapes the WHSRN strat- egy and makes decisions on new site nominations. Curiously, the very power of WHSRN is that is has no formal legal or treaty basis, and maintains a low barrier-to-entry. Rather than The following facts give a sense of the situation: placing prerequisites on landowners and managers (such as having a • The number of long-distance migrant rufa Red Knots has dropped from functioning shorebird management 50,000 to 15,000 since 1985. plan), WHSRN first helps them appreciate their connection to the rest • numbers of migrant shorebirds using Delaware Bay have declined by of the hemisphere and provides them 80% since 1982. not only the will (pride of place) • semipalmated Sandpipers have dropped by 80% — from 1.8 million to but also the way (knowledge, tools, 350,000 birds — in their core winter range in northern South America and connections) to ensure effective since 1982. conservation of the site. • Populations of shorebirds using Kachemak Bay, Alaska, have fallen by A second area where collective impact 70% since the 1990s. for shorebird recovery is necessary is in building a scientific foundation Solitary Sandpiper: Greg Homel for action. What are the drivers that have caused shorebirds to decline? groups, their critical stopover sites are One of the best-known and most Answering this and similar questions essentially irreplaceable; and 3) coastal effective organizations is the Western is the purpose of the Shorebird Re- and wetland habitats have been lost or Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Net- search Group of the Americas (www. degraded even faster than other habi- work (WHSRN, www.whsrn.org). shorebirdresearch.org), a consortium tat types. Climate change exacerbates Begun in 1985, and now comprising of researchers from academia, govern- all three of these challenges. 85 sites covering some 30 million ment, non-government organizations, acres in 13 nations, WHSRN is a and the public, whose purpose is to Faced with these challenges, it quickly voluntary, non-regulatory coalition encourage collaborative research, becomes obvious that no single whose mission is to conserve shore- provide communication among group, corporation, government, or birds and their habitats through a net- individuals and groups, and to be a treaty organization in the world has work of key sites across the Americas. clearinghouse for emerging ideas and enough resources—or authority—to issues related to shorebirds. recover shorebird populations on WHSRN enrolls sites based on two their own. The only way forward is simple criteria: 1) importance to The work of the Arctic Shorebird through “collective impact,” where shorebirds as demonstrated by an- Demographic Network (ASDN) many organizations from various nually hosting at least 20,000 shore- exemplifies the enormous geographic sectors work towards the same goal, birds or 1% of a population, and 2) scale and complexity that finding an- and measure progress the same a simple letter of commitment from swers to shorebird declines presents. way. Success depends on having a the landowner(s) agreeing to make backbone organization that actively shorebird conservation a priority at ADSN’s work combines coordinates actions and shares lessons the site. WHSRN’s Executive Of- unprecedented and sophisticated learned among participating groups. fice , with staff in Maine and Mas- understanding of experimental design sachusetts; Baja California, Mexico; and biostatistics with the almost

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 9 Sanderlings: Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com

The work of the Arctic Shorebird Demographic Network (ASDN) exemplifies the enormous geographic scale and complexity that finding answers to shorebird declines presents. unimaginable logistical challenges thousands of sites. Fortunately, in perhaps because of conservation ef- of placing qualified teams of field 1974, Brian Harrington, organized forts by WHSRN and many other biologists at sites across the Arctic the International Shorebird Survey groups. Five species were found to be breeding grounds (and getting them (ISS), one of the first large-scale increasing. These include the Ameri- safely home). “citizen-science” projects, with can Oystercatcher, the subject of hundreds of volunteer teams counting Using carefully formulated scientific significant management efforts, and shorebirds during spring and fall protocol, ASDN will provide infor- the Semipalmated Plover, not previ- migrations. With modest financial mation on the mechanisms behind ously known to be increasing. resources, the ISS has contributed declines (e.g., poor reproductive reliable data on shorebird populations Despite these encouraging trends, the success or low adult survival), and for nearly 40 years, with over 69,000 estimates also suggest that declines also help determine when shore- surveys and total observations of are ongoing for 23 species, and at bird population sizes are likely to be more than 60 million shorebirds at statistically significant rates for five limited (e.g., breeding, migration, more than 1,500 locations across the species. These include some already non-breeding). The results will make Western Hemisphere. known to be of conservation concern, future conservation actions more ef- such as the Red Knot and Long-billed ficient and surgically targeted. ASDN With the companion Atlantic Canada Curlew, but others, such as the Black- is coordinated by Manomet, the Shorebird Survey, the ISS has become bellied Plover, for which there was U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and among the most significant sources of previously no specific conservation Kansas State University. The project is monitoring information for shore- concern. funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife birds in North America. Service, Canadian Wildlife Service, the What can you do? Help others under- Recently, statistician Dr. Paul Smith National Fish and Wildlife Founda- stand how amazing these heroic little collaborated with Manomet to tion, the Neotropical Migratory Bird birds are and why they deserve our analyze the ISS data from 1974 Conservation Act, and several gener- protection; contribute to knowledge through 2009 for 41 species (80% of ous individual donors. by reporting sightings (http://ebird. all regularly occurring shorebirds in org/content/iss/); avoid disturbing Any conservation effort needs to North America). The results demon- roosting or feeding shorebirds; and hold itself accountable by providing strate that shorebirds continue to face contribute financially to conservation measures of success. For shorebirds, significant conservation challenges. groups such as ABC and Manomet. recovered and stable populations Although ongoing declines for many are the best measure of the success species warrant concern, the analy- Together we can create a conservation of conservation efforts. However, ses also suggested some reasons for success story equal to that of water- measuring and quantifying this optimism. For all shorebirds com- fowl in the 1920s or raptors in the requires a baseline from which to bined, the troubling declines observed 1980s. start, and ongoing monitoring at through the 1990s may have slowed,

10 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Threats to shorebirds

orth American shorebirds, known for their epic migratory journeys, run a gauntlet of man-made threats as they wing their way between wintering and nesting grounds. Some of these threats impact only a few species, while others pose major problems for all. Cumulatively, these threats are causing declines N across the entire shorebird family, with 22 species in such steep decline that they are now listed on the U.S. WatchList of birds of conservation concern. Some, such as the Eskimo Curlew, were never able to recover from the assault, and slipped into extinction – a sad reminder that all of these threats must be addressed before we lose any more species. Philip Chou, Marine Photobank FWS

Breeding Site Habitat Loss Wintering Site Habitat Loss For the most part, shorebird breeding habitat in arctic The status of many shorebird wintering sites is poorly Canada and Alaska is plentiful and well protected, but known. It is likely that most are stable and are not the lim- breeding habitats in the contiguous United States and iting factor for populations, but specific threats, such has southern Canada are threatened by agriculture and urban- habitat loss, water pollution, and hydrologic alteration from ization. For example, Marbled Godwits are steadily declin- shrimp farming, likely do impact some species. For example, ing due to the conversion of prairie grasslands for farming in the State of Sinaloa on the west coast of Mexico, over in the northern Great Plains states and southern parts of 50,000 acres of intertidal and mangrove swamps important central Canadian provinces. Draining of marshland has to shorebirds have been converted to shrimp farms. Simi- caused problems for Wilson’s Phalaropes on their breeding lar problems have occurred in northeastern Brazil along the grounds, and the species can no longer be found at some coast of Ceará and portions of Rio Grande do Norte states. traditional sites. Fortu- In 2007, ABC, with a generous donation from the Mitsubi- nately, the adaptability shi International Corporation Foundation, worked with of this species in find- Pronatura Noroeste to purchase 865 acres of coastal wet- ing new areas is helping lands to conserve key shorebird habitat in Bahia Santa Ma- minimize declines. ria, Mexico. The grant leveraged substantial federal funding to restore necessary water flow to an additional 7,410 acres of wetlands.

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 11 Threats to shorebirds NASA, MODIS Rapid Response Center Reuven Walder, Marine Photobank Reuven Walder, Stopover Site Habitat Loss Sea Level Rise Habitat loss at migration stopover sites is likely the According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, biggest problem for our shorebirds, preventing them from in the last century, sea levels along the Mid-Atlantic and rebuilding sufficient fat reserves in between long-distance Gulf Coasts rose five to six inches more than the global av- flights. Many birds that are still able to make it to their erage because coastal lands there are subsiding. The Inter- breeding grounds may not have the resources left to national Panel on Climate Change estimates that on aver- breed. Conversion of habitat to farmland and other uses age, sea level will rise 7-24 inches in the next 100 years due is a significant problem, as is the phenomenon of “coastal to melting of polar ice caps and glaciers caused by global squeeze”. Urban development encroaching on shoreline warming. Rising sea levels inundate wetlands and other habitat from the inland side combines with erosion from low-lying lands, erode beaches, intensify flooding, and in- the ocean side to create a pincer-like movement that crease the salinity of rivers, bays, and groundwater tables. squeezes shorebirds into an ever-thinner sliver of habitat. Some of these effects may be further compounded by other So-called “beach nourishment” programs and flood control effects of climate change such as the increased frequency of projects exacerbate the problem, particularly on the bay severe storms. sides of barrier islands. Eskimo Curlew, Terry Evans Terry Eskimo Curlew, Lucy Kemp, Marine Photobank Unregulated Hunting Beach Disturbance While the unregulated hunting that plagued so many of Cars and ATVs driven along beaches can have a significant America’s birds at the turn of the 20th Century, including impact on shorebirds by crushing nests and causing birds putting an end to the Eskimo Curlew, has long since to expend excessive energy avoiding the vehicles. Even ceased, shooting free-for-alls are still occurring in parts of beachgoers on foot can cause problems if they approach the Caribbean, in particular, the islands of Guadeloupe, too close to breeding colonies. Unleashed pet dogs can Barbados, and Martinique. ABC and other organizations scare birds away during critical nesting periods, and kill have drawn international attention to this issue and have chicks and adults. Fencing, roping off, or posting key nest formally requested France, which administers these islands, sites can make a big difference, particularly for species such to stop this practice. as the endangered Piping Plover.

12 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Threats to shorebirds Eileen Romero, Marine Photobank Steve Spring, Marine Photobank Pollution: Oil Pollution: Effluent According to the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the Discharge and runoff of industrial waste, pesticides, and number and volume of oil spills in U.S. waters declined sewage from both onshore and offshore sources causes direct steadily between the mid-1970s and early 2000s, likely a result toxicity as well as oxygen depletion that can render coastal of both improved international standards that went into effect environments dead zones. Various federal regulations, in 1983, and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 that was passed particularly the U.S. Clean Water Act of 1977, have after the Exxon Valdez spill. But the Deepwater Horizon helped reduce the discharge and runoff of these pollutants disaster of 2010, which spewed 210 million gallons of oil into that ends up on our shores, as have new standards for the the Gulf of Mexico, sharply reversed that trend and served as treatment and release of effluent aboard ships adopted by a stark reminder of the threat oil poses to our coastal habitats the Marine Environmental Protection Committee of the and the birds that rely on them. Birds are particularly sensitive International Maritime Organization in 2006; yet effluent at migratory stopover and wintering sites, where vast numbers pollution continues to threaten shorebird habitat. concentrate in relatively small areas. Gavin Shire, ABC Gavin Shire, Greg Homel, Natural Elements Productions Threats to Food Supplies Predation In a few cases, shorebirds are at risk from overfishing of Cats, dogs, rats, and other introduced predators can their food supply. The rufa subspecies of the Red Knot has devastate shorebird and colonies. Populations of native been in free-fall over recent decades due to the excessive predators can also become artificially high as a result of harvesting of horseshoe crabs in Delaware Bay for use coastal development and other human activities. Predator as bait in conch and eel pots. The reduction in the crab eradication programs can have a very beneficial and almost population has limited supplies of their eggs. As a result, instantaneous impact. Caution must be taken with poisons migrating knots that stop in the bay to refuel on their long used to kill rats, however, as they can also harm shorebirds. migration north are unable to gain the weight needed to Feral cat colonies are a problem in many U.S. coastal areas, complete their journey and breed successfully. ABC has particularly those fed by seasonal beachgoers and year-round campaigned for over a decade to protect the Red Knot and residents. ABC opposes so-called “managed” cat colonies the horseshoe crab. In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife because they exacerbate the threat to birds. Service agreed to expedite listing of the rufa subspecies under the Endangered Species Act.

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 13 14 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Shorebirds Use Diverse Habitats - Even in the Far North

Few people have had the opportunity to see large numbers 1 of shorebirds on their nesting grounds. We are mostly just 2 treated to brief spring and fall “fly-bys” as they funnel through our lakes, coastal areas, and grasslands on their way to and from the “far north”. While the tundra is vast, and there is plenty of room for these birds to spread out, there are still a lot of them (thankfully), and there is hot competition for prime nesting areas. Spring migration is a race to arrive in time to capture a prime territory, but not 3 5 7 8 too early to find cold winds, snow, and little food. 14 4 13 6 In order to deal with the issue of competition, like other 12 birds, shorebirds each have their niches. The vista on 9 these pages shows the variety of micro-habitats that some 11 shorebirds use – from the Solitary Sandpiper, that likes 10 to choose the old abandoned nests of songbirds in boreal trees, to the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, that favors more KEY: 1: Lesser Yellowlegs; 2: Merlin; 3: Buff-breasted Sandpiper; 4: Red-necked Phalarope; open “dancing grounds” where the males can show off their 5: Whimbrel; 6: American Golden-Plover; 7: Pectoral Sandpiper; 8: White-rumped Sandpiper; moves. 9: Surfbird; 10: Semipalmated Plover; 11: Wilson's Snipe; 12: Hudsonian Godwit; 13: Spotted Sandpiper; 14: Solitary Sandpiper. Artwork by Chris Vest.

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 15 James R. Page Far from shore, but up a creek

Upland sandpiper

“Grasspipers” belong to one of the most threatened groups of birds in North America

horebirds sometimes belie their Loss of habitat affects these birds high priority for conservation, since name by commonly occurring in across their life cycle, on wintering their core range has been so severely other habitats — some species once as well as breeding grounds, and also reduced. flourished (and still occur) through- along their migration routes. Long-billed Curlew – The larg- out the vast open grasslands of North Upland Sandpiper – The Upland est North American shorebird and a America’s interior. These birds live Sandpiper breeds mostly on the tall- Great Plains endemic, the Long-billed most of their lives far from any coast, grass prairies of the Great Plains, so Curlew breeds in the western Great but are still in the same family, and is especially affected by conversion of Plains and northern Great Basin often the same genus, as the more grasslands for agriculture. Although north to British Columbia; in areas familiar sandpipers along our shores. somewhat tolerant of altered condi- that have undergone significant habi- Unfortunately, many of these spe- tions on their breeding grounds (for tat change, again due to the spread of cies, sometimes known to birders as instance, they can breed successfully agriculture and human settlement. “grasspipers”, have been suffering on well-managed ranchland), this Although they are very resilient to severe population declines in recent species, along with the Buff-breasted habitat degradation, and will even years. While loss of grassland breed- Sandpiper and American Golden- nest in invasive species such as cheat- ing habitat is the primary cause, Plover, also faces changed habitat on grass, they are categorized as “highly other factors such as the increased use its wintering grounds in the northern imperiled” in the U.S. Shorebird of pesticides and other toxic chemi- pampas of Uruguay, Argentina, and Conservation Plan (www.fws.gov/ cals, invasive plant and animal spe- Paraguay, where agriculture has also shorebirdplan) because of popula- cies, and perhaps most significantly, replaced grasslands. tion declines and significant threats loss of wintering habitat have played a Recent Breeding Bird Survey data to both breeding and wintering areas. role in these declines. show that populations in the species’ Continued loss of grassland breeding core habitat are increasing, but Up- habitats is thought to be the greatest land Sandpipers are still considered a threat to population stability.

16 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 The same threat faces Long-billed identify land needing protection or the southern San Joaquin Valley of Curlews in Mexico’s Chihuahuan management. We also plan to host California. Unfortunately, much of desert grasslands, where significant managers’ workshops to implement that wintering ground has been taken numbers winter. These southern best management practices for the over for oil and gas development. The grasslands are also being lost through species throughout its western breed- 250,000-acre Carrizo Plain Na- conversion for agriculture. These ing range. These activities will be tional Monument provides protected curlews (primarily birds breeding in combined with improved monitoring wintering habitat for the species; the Great Plains) winter largely in techniques to identify key staging and the Central Valley Joint Venture El Tokio, on the eastern edge of the wintering areas for different segments also works with area landowners to Chihuahuan Desert, where ABC has of the curlew population. improve land management practices worked with Pronatura Noreste to to benefit the Mountain Plover and Mountain Plover –Improved moni- save this important wintering habitat other birds in this area. toring has shown this plover of arid (see article page 22). Further west, shortgrass prairie to be more numer- “Although none of these species faces our Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands ous than formerly believed. However, immediate catastrophic loss, they con- project will also be dealing with the their numbers have declined enough tinue to contend with threats from problem of habitat loss. compared to historic levels to keep expansion of agriculture and habitat The curlew is one of five species them a species of concern; Mountain loss on their wintering grounds,” says dependent on grassland and sage- Plovers are included on ABC’s Watch- David Pashley, ABC’s Vice President brush-steppe habitats targeted as a List as a species of highest conserva- of Conservation Programs. “The focal species for conservation by the tion concern. This plover depends curlew and Upland Sandpiper are Intermountain West Joint Venture. on native grazers such as prairie dogs reasonably well-monitored compared The other species are Grasshopper, and bison to maintain the short grass with other shorebirds, so we know Brewer’s, and Sage Sparrows, and Sage it needs to nest successfully. It can that they have relatively large popu- Thrasher. Habitat modeling done by also nest on lands grazed by cattle, lations that are in gradual decline. ABC is being used to identify those but most other agricultural develop- The Mountain Plover is cryptic and areas of public and private lands where ment deprives it of suitable breeding breeds largely on private lands, so conservation action will have the most habitat. our knowledge of this bird is much potential to maintain or increase Long- poorer, but it seems tolerant of some Like the Long-billed Curlew, a large billed Curlew populations. less intensive forms of farming. All percentage of Mountain Plovers mi- three species need more conservation As part of our burgeoning initiative grate to Mexico’s Chihuahuan grass- efforts on their wintering grounds. to enhance range-wide conserva- lands for the winter – an area being With continued habitat improve- tion for the species, ABC is working gobbled up by farm fields and other ment, we hope to have these birds in with the Montana and Idaho Bird agricultural development by the day. relatively large numbers for a long Conservation Partnerships, Environ- A smaller number of Mountain time to come.” ment Canada, and other partners to Plovers migrate west to winter in

Long-billed mountain Curlew Plover Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com Greg Lavaty, Peter LaTourrette, http://birdphotography.com Peter LaTourrette,

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 17 Photo: Pronatura Noreste

AMONG THE ISLANDS A closer look at Mexico’s Laguna Madre

he name Laguna Madre is Spanish The region is perhaps best known for its for “Mother Lagoon”. Not to be importance to Redheads. Hundreds of confused with the U.S. lagoon of thousands– potentially more than two-thirds theT same name to the north in Texas, Laguna of the global population – descend upon the Madre, Mexico is a shallow, hyper-saline body Laguna Madre to feed on its nutrient-rich of water, 100 miles long and 15 miles wide, aquatic grasses. at the mouth of the Río Soto la Marina in Snowy and Wilson’s Plovers (both U.S. the state of Tamaulipas. The Laguna Madre WatchList species of conservation concern) wetland complex was designated as the first find this habitat ideal for breeding, while binational WHSRN site (see page 9) in 2000. as many as 10,000 pairs of colonial-nesting Laguna Madre, Mexico is separated from the waterbirds, including Reddish Egrets, Gull- Gulf of Mexico on the east by a number of billed Terns, and Black Skimmers (all U.S. Wilson's Plover: barrier islands, and contains dozens more small WatchList species as well) take advantage of Chuck Tague islands that provide food, water, and shelter the vast expanse of suitable breeding habitat. for nearly 220 species of birds. ABC is work- ing with the Mexican organization Pronatura

Noreste in this area to improve breeding and Redheads: Greg Lavaty, wintering habitat for dozens of bird species, www.texastargetbirds.com many of high conservation concern. The Laguna Madre ecosystem may seem somewhat homogeneous from afar, but its bays, inlets, creeks, barrier islands and algal flats serve as prime real estate for some of North Americas most threatened species.

by Andrew Rothman, International Conservation Officer, ABC

18 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Red Knots, Buff-breasted Sandpipers, and Mountain and developing a campaign to educate fishermen about Plovers stop on migration or overwinter here, along with the effects of dogs on the islands. The partners are one of the United States’ most endangered species, the also working with the local health and animal control Piping Plover. These birds are present in small but critical authorities to better manage the populations of stray and numbers, and the health of Laguna Madre is important to feral dogs in the communities surrounding Laguna Madre. their populations. Dogs are not the only threat to Laguna Madre. Due to Because of its importance to breeding, migrating, and poor land management in the surrounding areas, erosion, wintering birds, Laguna Madre has been identified as a sedimentation and pollution threaten the quality of habi- priority area for conservation by the Rio Grande Joint tat in and around the lagoon. While the high salt levels of Venture (www.rgjv.org), as well as within both the United Laguna Madre (which can be 50% greater than water in States Shorebird Conservation Plan and The North the nearby ocean) provides a smorgasbord of vegetation American Waterbird Conservation Plan. for Redheads and other ducks, this salt accumulates in the ducks, and they must find freshwater to rid themselves of The great majority of nesting beaches and islands in this excess. The preservation of the freshwater ponds, rivers Laguna Madre are uninhabited by people and look like and creeks that flow into or exist around Laguna Madre is pristine breeding areas. But looks can be deceptive. These critical to supporting populations of these birds. isolated habitats, also make great encampments for local fishermen, who bring dogs with them. These dogs, which Currently, ABC and Pronatura are working with a family are usually strays from the ever-reproducing local dog that owns over 20,000 acres of property at the southern population, are often abandoned on the islands. Left to end of Laguna Madre to improve three 50-acre ponds that fend for themselves, the dogs, along with other introduced will ensure suitable fresh water for some of the area’s bird species including cats and goats, wreak havoc. They chase life. The ponds, which have been degraded by increased birds along the beaches, causing the birds’ precious energy sediment loads caused by erosion of surrounding areas, reserves needed for breeding and migrating to be wasted. need to be dredged. Once the sediment is removed and the original water depth restored, the pond’s usefulness for Reddish Egret: Greg Lavaty, ducks and other birds will be improved. The landowner www.texastargetbirds.com has also agreed to fence these ponds to prevent access by cows, and also agreed to put nearly 5,000 acres of his property into a conservation easement for 15 years, further helping to support bird conservation. Pronatura Noreste is also working on a ground-breaking project to return more fresh water to Laguna Madre. Water from a new sewage treatment facility will now be routed to the creek bed of Arroyo del Tigre, instead of simply being pumped back to the ocean. This creek, which once provided fresh water for Laguna Madre, has been running dry for almost 50 years due to water Dogs also find and destroy bird nests along the beaches diversion for the city of Matamoros, excessive irrigation, and among the shrubs and bushes, eating eggs, young, cattle management, and erosion. The restoration of this and even adults if they can catch them. With nearly waterway will prove invaluable to wildlife of the region, 10,000 fishermen using Laguna Madre, the number of and help to restore key natural processes within the dogs brought to the islands — and their impact on birds Laguna Madre system. — can be tremendous. Like so many places in Central and South America, The protection of key beach-nesting and rookery sites Laguna Madre could easily be out of sight and out of is critical to maintaining and improving shorebird mind for bird lovers in the United States. But if we lose it, and waterbird populations. With funds from the BP we will feel the repercussions echo across a suite of “our” Exploration and Production, Inc. and National Fish and migrant shorebirds and other waterbirds. The region’s Wildlife Federation, ABC and local partner Pronatura unique threats require innovative and highly targeted Noreste are beginning efforts to trap and remove dogs responses, and ABC and Pronatura are rising to the and other feral animals from the islands of Laguna challenge of saving the habitats of the Mother Lagoon. Madre, erecting fencing around key breeding locations,

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 19 Beach-nesting Bird Conservation in the Gulf Artwork by Chris Vest

t seems like just yesterday that I by Kacy Ray, Beach-Nesting to launch a monitoring and public set out on a three-week trip to see Bird Conservation Project outreach program. At Bolivar Flats, Iimportant colonial nesting bird Officer, ABC an ABC-designated Globally Impor- sites along the Gulf Coast that would tant Bird Area, a Least Tern colony be the focus of a new Beach-nesting will be posted with protective signs; a Bird Program under a grant from the In Texas and Louisiana, much of the Black Skimmer colony in Texas City National Fish and Wildlife Founda- nesting habitat for colonial-nesting will also be protected. tion (NFWF). That was July 2011, waterbirds is on bay islands rather In Louisiana, I’ve worked with and now ABC, a growing network of than mainland beaches. This spring, partners National Audubon Society, 12 partner groups, and many other ABC, the Gulf Coast Bird Observa- Barataria-Terrebonne National Estu- supporters, are launching regional tory, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ary Program, and Grand Isle State programs to increase protection and Service will post signs at federal- and Park to launch a community-based public awareness for colonial beach- state-owned islands on the upper outreach and protection program for nesting birds. Least Terns and Black coast of Texas to warn boaters and Least Terns at Grand Isle, one of the Skimmers, two species that were fishermen who approach these islands areas most heavily impacted by the heavily impacted by the Deepwater during breeding season that birds are Horizon spill of 2010, are a primary raising their young. focus. Thousands of birds perished as “The bay islands where these birds a result of that spill, and many more nest are particularly vulnerable to were unable to successfully breed human disturbance from recreational during the beach cleanup efforts that boaters and fishermen who flush adult followed. This new program will help birds off their nests and away from regional populations of these species their young, putting the chicks in recover from the spill by lessening hu- jeopardy from heat stress and preda- man disturbance at nesting sites while tion,” says Susan Heath of the Gulf increasing public awareness about Coast Bird Observatory. the needs of these and other beach- nesting birds. ABC has also partnered with Houston Fish, Swim and Play Audubon on the upper coast of Texas from 50 Yards Away!

Tricolored Heron nestlings: Chuck Tague

20 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Least their educational program and will with regional entities that are locally Tern colonies at the park and on work closely with Audubon of Florida engaged, the program is helping adjacent private lands will be identi- to better integrate their bird steward- grow ideas into actual projects that fied and posted with signs created ship program with the state’s. This benefit birds. The broad scope of the by local students. Educational kiosks role is crucial in building an ongoing program also allows new ideas to be sponsored by ABC at the state park network of volunteers to advocate for shared between regions. It has been a will be used as stations for conducting beach-nesting birds. refreshing and valuable contribution, public outreach and implementing a and we look forward to continuing With NFWF support, ABC is bird stewardship program which will to develop this relationship for the providing funding for extra law station volunteers near nesting areas recovery of imperiled birds.” enforcement on busy holidays at to teach the public about the birds Honeymoon Island State Park, Indian Texas isn’t the only state to have a and how to avoid disturbing them Shores, and Big Marco Critical well-known musician speak out for during the breeding season. An intern Wildlife Management Areas. While Gulf birds. Renowned Louisiana living on site will assist in coordinat- these sites are often fortunate enough bluesman Tab Benoit and over 50 ing this program and making sure the to have bird stewards, the influx of musicians from southern Louisiana terns are protected and monitored people and dogs near nesting areas will join with the partnership and the throughout the season. during the holidays is significant, and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estu- “Audubon is proud to protect and ary Program to advocate awareness for monitor Least Terns where they colonial-nesting waterbirds through- were so devastated by the Deepwater out the state’s many islands

Horizon oil disaster,” said Melanie imple Productions I knew Tab was the perfect spokes-

Driscoll, Audubon’s Director of Bird eel S man for our televised Louisiana Conservation for Gulf Conserva- Gary P. Nunn, Ambassador of public service announcement as he tion and the Mississippi Flyway. Texas Music

aniel Garza, R has established his own non-profit “Through this strong partnership D organization, Voice of the Wetlands and with the community of Grand (www.voiceofthewetlands.org). This Isle, we are expanding our decades of extra law enforcement can serve as group is working to raise aware- community and chapter-driven Gulf reinforcement for the volunteers. ness and promote education about Coast beach-bird stewardship into There aren’t too many opportunities the state’s wetland loss and the dire Louisiana.” to meet celebrities in the conserva- need for continued restoration and ABC is also planning a third monitor- tion business, and so one of my 2011 preservation efforts. Their message is ing and outreach program with the highlights was working with coun- well-matched to our own –people and Florida Park Service throughout the try singer, Gary P. Nunn, who has the birds depend on this habitat for state’s panhandle this breeding season. contributed his services for a televised survival. The Florida panhandle has the largest public service announcement asking Together, these efforts make for an expanse of habitat for beach-nesting fishermen and recreational boaters exciting year of much-needed help for birds in the state, and is home to to “Fish, Swim, and Play From 50 beach-nesting birds along the Gulf. many solitary and colonial species Yards Away” from nesting islands. The Keep a lookout for posted areas and such as Snowy and Wilson’s Plovers, 30-second spot will air in Texas from remember: Fish, Swim and Play from Willet, American Oystercatcher, Least March through August in Houston 50 Yards Away! Tern, and Black Skimmer. and Corpus Christi. As in Texas and Louisiana, an on-site “ABC’s Beach-Nesting Bird Pro- In addition to the generous grant from biologist will assist in identifying, gram has been a critical partner in the National Fish and Wildlife Founda- posting, and monitoring beach- advancing conservation of Texas’ tion, ABC is grateful to the hundreds nesting bird sites. Public outreach coastal birds,” said David Newstead of supporters who have made donations will be a major component of this of Coastal Bend Bays and Estuar- to help birds affected by the Deepwater effort. The biologist will assist the ies Program, who came up with the Horizon oil spill. Florida Park Service in improving concept for the PSA. “By partnering

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 21 Photo: Pronatura Noreste

he Chihuahuan grasslands of 31 endemic bird species and is con- Mexico balance precariously fined to these threatened grasslands. T on an ecological knife edge. Its population (fewer than 1,000 Desertification threatens the sensitive individuals) and range are so small shortgrass prairie and thorn scrub that the Alliance for Zero Extinction habitats, driven by the twin stresses has identified El Tokio, the bird’s last of overgrazing and water-intensive remaining sliver of habitat, as one of potato farming, accelerated by ongo- 581 sites in the world most in need ing drought. Reserve PROFILE of protection to prevent imminent extinctions. This vast swath of semi-arid land- scape, two hundred miles or more El Cercado, In 2007, ABC and Mexican partner wide in places and stretching for Pronatura Noreste purchased a small over six hundred miles from the Mexico (585 acres) but critical piece of the El New Mexico border southeastwards Tokio grassland mosaic in the state of alongside Texas, is cleaved down the Coahuila, called El Cercado, for the middle by the Sierra Madre Occiden- protection of the Worthen’s Sparrow. tal. On the mountain range’s south- The Worthen’s Sparrow is nomadic, eastern side, as the peaks give way to a following the irregular seasonal rains high plateau that gently slopes down across El Tokio, which makes con- to the Gulf Coast, lies the El Tokio servation particularly difficult, but grasslands. Given the stark beauty regular sightings of the bird have been of this vast, austere, and scrubby- recorded at El Cercado. looking land, one could be forgiven for overlooking some of its smaller ABC Conservation Officer Andrew inhabitants, in particular, the plain, Rothman recently returned from a unassuming Worthen’s Sparrow. The visit to the region, where he learned Worthen’s Sparrow is one of Mexico’s more about some of the challenges

Worthen's Sparrow: Antonio Hidalgo

22 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 …dozens of other birds call this area home for some or all of the year, including the Sprague’s Pipit, Horned Lark, Savannah Sparrow, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, and in particular, the Long-billed

Long-billed Curlew: Greg Lavaty Curlew. www.texastargetbirds.com the sparrow is facing and how Pro- boring ejidos (community-owned natura Noreste is working to combat land) to allow their cattle to stray into them. the reserve,” says Rothman. “Better fences alone aren’t enough to stop “The property is fenced to keep out this. What’s needed is a way to stem cattle whose overgrazing devastates the systemic overgrazing.” the delicate habitat, turning it into a dust bowl. But in places, the fence To address this problem, Pronatura wires have been damaged and perhaps is now developing a work plan with Burrowing Owl: Alan Wilson deliberately cut by farmers on neigh- the National Forest Commission of

Sprague's Pipit: Greg Lavaty, www.texastargetbirds.com

Photo: Pronatura Noreste bird conservation • SPRING 2012 23 Reserve PROFILE

Worthen's Sparrow: Ricardo Canales

Mexico to improve soil conditions North American population winters and conduct reforestation with na- here between October and February. tive juniper and pine trees for the ABC is working with Pronatura to El Cercado property. They will also study and protect the curlews, par- be educating ejido farmers across El ticularly at one pond located on the Tokio on how to reduce overgrazing. Hediondilla ejido land, where up to With better grazing regimes, the soil 4,000 birds gather. will be more productive, grassland ABC is grateful for vital support habitat for bird species will improve from the Neotropical Migratory Bird across the whole region, and there Conservation Act, David and Patricia will be less need for ranchers to graze Davidson, and Southern Wings, with their cattle inside the reserve. participation from the states of South Through agreements with ranchers Dakota, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, and farmers to create reserves within which makes possible this work in El certain areas of the ejidos where cattle Cercado and the El Tokio grasslands. ranching and agriculture is prohibit- ed, and by training cattle ranchers on Ferruginous Hawk: Tom Grey best management practices, Pronatura has so far helped improve more than 80,000 acres of habitat throughout El Tokio. The organization is currently working to enhance a further 66,000 acres. The benefits will be felt not only by the Worthen’s Sparrow, but by dozens of other birds that call the area home for some or all of the year, including the Sprague’s Pipit, Horned lark, Savannah Sparrow, Burrowing Owl, Ferruginous Hawk, Mountain Plover, and in particular, the Long- billed Curlew. El Cercado and the surrounding El Tokio grasslands are home to a signifi- cant number of wintering Long-billed Curlews. Some 15% of the entire Once suitable breeding habitat for native birds and a stopover site for migrants, this land in EL Tokio is now a potato field. Photo: Pronatura Noreste

24 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 This bird – ABC Mike Parr,

Black Skimmer: Alan Wilson

This HABITAT– YOUR LEGACY. Owen Deutsch

Your bequest to American Bird Conservancy will help protect the birds of the Americas, and their habitats for generations to come. Join ABC’s Legacy Circle with an estate gift through your will, retirement plan, trust, or life insurance policy and help secure the future for birds. If you would like more information, or if you have already included ABC in your estate plans, please contact ABC Planned Giving Director, Jack Morrison, at 540-253-5780, or at [email protected].

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 25 Monarchs of the Mud- Magellanic Plover Probers

Tawny- throated dotterel

Luke Seitz Steve Arlow Surfbirds.com

hich is the most wonderful and unusual of The tiny gray and all the shorebirds — the monarch of the white Magellanic Plover is unique among the shore- W mud-probers? Well, there are many “atypical” birds—nothing else looks quite like it. It has the soft look members of the Charadrii, that’s for certain. For starters, and coo of a dove, yet has a devilish glint in its beady red along with the expected sandpipers and plovers, the eye. Genetic studies have shown that this unusual bird has suborder includes the jacanas, sheathbills, seedsnipes, affinities with the sheathbills, but for now it resides in its thick-knees, and quite a few other birds that you won’t own family, the Pluvianellidae. This odd plover is also un- find dipping their bills in coastal mud. I think any bird usual among shorebirds in that it regurgitates food to feed that waits until you are right on top of it before it flies is its chicks, while the young of other shorebirds are able to always a class act, and the group also includes the snipe, feed on their own within hours of hatching. woodcock, and in South America, the seedsnipes. There This species (the only one in its genus) has a tiny popu- are also the super-graceful avocets with their curious lation of fewer than 10,000 birds that nest along rivers upturned bills, and the “misfits” such as the Magellanic in southern Chile and Argentina and winter along the Plover. Then, perhaps the most magnificent of all, there’s region’s coastline. the tiny, funky Spoon-billed Sandpiper, accidental in our region, but a fantastic bird nonetheless. The gray-brown Tawny-throated Dotterel blends per- fectly into its surroundings and hides by standing upright Here is a quick look at a few of my favorite “strange and and turning its camouflaged back to predators. Its colors wonderful shorebirds” from South America; each both are a subtle mix of hues that seem to grow from the brown amazing and majestic in its own way. earth of the Andes themselves. My first sighting of this species was along the shore of Lake Titicaca in Peru, where by Michael Parr, the dotterel matches the clay-colored fields and houses Vice President, ABC that also inhabit the windswept plain. It is another species that is the sole representative of its genus, although in this case, it has an extinct relative known from fossil remains.

26 bird conservation • SPRING 2012 South American Shorebirds Aren’t Always What You’d Expect

The dotterel is a partial migrant and is found from Peru by lithium mining for batteries. This elegant bird may be to Tierra del Fuego. It has suffered from hunting in Chile the real monarch of the shorebirds, with its majestic ap- and Argentina. pearance and lofty habitat. Catching a glimpse of one in a mixed feeding flock of flamingoes is one of the great sights The Andean Avocet shares the high-altitude lakes of the of South America. Andes with Wilson’s Phalaropes and Baird’s Sandpipers during the austral summer. It is perhaps the least-known TheRufous-bellied Seedsnipe only just qualifies as a shore- of the world’s four avocet species and can be found on bird. In fact, maybe it shouldn’t! This strange-looking bird Peru’s Lake Junín and Titicaca, as well as on other alkaline is more like a cross between a ptarmigan and a sandgrouse. lakes that dot the flat punas (mountain grasslands) of Bo- It inhabits only the most barren Andean tundra and puna, livia and Chile. The Andean Avocet, along with three spe- where it can be found in small flocks, foraging along bogs cies of flamingo, may be threatened by habitat loss caused and tussock grass clumps. It has a regal aspect when seen close-up, and is bedecked by intricately patterned feathers that help to keep it concealed from predators—until the very last moment before it flees in an explosive leap from the ground. It likes to feed on cushion plants, which fortu- nately are common across the species’ large South American range, and this unusual bird appears secure despite the harshness of its chosen environment. Along with the Diademed Sandpiper-Plover (see Species Profile, page 28), the Rufous-bellied Seedsnipe is a species andean that stands to benefit from a project to protect habitat avocet in central Peru, where ABC is working with its Peruvian partner, ECOAN, to create a high-altitude community reserve. Scandar Jacob

Rufous-bellied Steve Blain Seedsnipe

bird conservation • SPRING 2012 27 NON-PROFIT ORG BirdConservation U.S. POSTAGE The magazine about bird conservation PAID throughout the Americas PERMIT NO. 2392 American Bird Conservancy MERRIFIELD, VA P.O. Box 249 The Plains, VA 20198

SPECIES PROFILE

he beautiful Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is a far cry Diademed T from the “average” shorebird. To find this rare species of the high Sandpiper- Andes, it may be necessary to climb Plover to heights of 14,000 feet or more! Despite its name, the species is indeed a plover. It ranges from the Shorebird of high Andes of central Peru south to South American western Bolivia, northern Chile, and central Argentina. Most birds are Heights resident, but some in the southern part of the range move to lower altitudes during the winter. Its preferred habitats are alpine bogs matted with cushion-plants, sedges, and grasses in wet, montane grass-

lands known as puna, or on grassy Dubi Shapiro plains along clear, gravelly lakes or streams. on wetlands throughout the year, Its scarcity and striking plumage climate change may pose serious risks make the Diademed Sandpiper- The Diademed Sandpiper-Plover is a to populations through changing Plover a must-see for birders in South spectacular-looking bird with a black hydrology and wetland drying. This America. However, finding Diademed head, rufous nape, and white band colorful species has benefitted from Sandpiper-Plovers is far from easy due all round the crown, which forms the a project to protect habitat in south- to their remote habitats, plus their diadem (crown) of its name. It uses its ern Peru, where ABC has worked small size and unobtrusive behavior. long, thin, down-curved bill to probe with Peruvian partner, ECOAN, to One might think that such a colorful the soft bog for its invertebrate food. create private conservation areas in bird, especially with its bright yellow Classified globally as Near Threat- the Vilcanota mountain range. These legs, would easily stand out in a flat ened, the world population is estimat- reserves protect Polylepis forests as well Andean bog, but the mental fuzz that ed to be fewer than 10,000 individu- as wetlands, including some where sometimes accompanies a birder’s als, and that population is thought to Diademed Sandpiper-Plovers occur. quick ascent into the oxygen-deprived be decreasing due to a lack of suitable ABC is also working with ECOAN highlands, coupled with the hilly habitat. Valleys in the southern por- to create protected areas in Lima terrain, can make them especially tion of the species’ range in particular and Junín to protect high Andean difficult to find. But it is so worth it are influenced by man-made threats bogs that will benefit the Diademed when you do. such as overgrazing, mining, off-road Sandpiper-Plover and threatened vehicles, and hydro-electric projects. endemics such as the White-bellied Because of the species’ dependence Cinclodes.